suspect filled bladder tank in vehicle using fraudulent credit cards

Brevard County Sheriff’sAgents from the unit arrested 51-year-old, Esmerido Osorio of Orlando on Wednesday for the theft of hundreds of gallons of gasoline. The arrest occurred after Economic Crimes Unit Agent Justin Wood observed Osorio at a local gas station attempting to conceal himself from public view while pumping gas for an extended amount of time.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – In early 2013 the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office created the Economic Crimes Unit, a specialized investigative unitand partnership to address the growing threat of identity theft and similar fraud that targets our citizens.

Agents from the unit arrested 51-year-old, Esmerido Osorio of Orlando on Wednesday for the theft of hundreds of gallons of gasoline.

The arrest occurred after Economic Crimes Unit Agent Justin Wood observed Osorio at a local gas station attempting to conceal himself from public view while pumping gas for an extended amount of time.

Agent Wood suspected that Osorio was filling a bladder tank in his vehicle and using fraudulent credit cards to facilitate the purchase of the fuel.

After leaving the station, Osorio was stopped for a traffic violation and a subsequent investigation confirmed that the vehicle was equipped with two hidden bladder tanks holding an estimated 300 gallons of stolen fuel. It was also discovered that the passenger in Osario’s vehicle was in possession of numerous fraudulent credit cards.

Osorio was subsequently charged with Unlawful Conveyance of Fuel and transported to the Brevard County Jail where he is being held on $3,000 bond.

Additional charges for the possession and criminal use of the stolen personal information are still pending the completion of the ongoing investigation.

Without question, our Economic Crimes Unit has been an overwhelming success with the assistance of our State Attorney Phil Archer who dedicated a full-time prosecutor and the Melbourne and Cocoa Police Departments who provide investigators in support of the overall mission.

The unit addresses those who steal our identities, bank accounts, life savings and even those who target our seniors.

Please join me in congratulating Agent Wood and all of the members of this specialized unit for their continued efforts to keep our citizens safe.

Anyone who may have additional information about this suspect is asked to please call Agent Justin Wood of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Economic Crimes Task Force at 321-633-8410.